Everyone needs a decent headshot. This is particularly true if you run a business and rely on LinkedIn as a business networking channel.

Well, recently I was given a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate just how much of an improvement can be made when you have a professional headshot taken and use that as your profile image.

I am a member of a networking group in Ryde (The Business Referral Group), its group of small to medium size business leaders, we get together every couple of weeks to learn more about each others business and work out ways that we can help each other grow.

As part of a presentation that I did to the group I talked about what makes a good headshot and the factors involved in this (its not just as simple as turning up and grinning). The basic seven steps are as follows;

A full description of the science behind this will be published soon.

At the end of the presentation I offered to give a free headshot makeover to the person who needed it most. There was no competition, it was Leo.

Leo runs Driessen Insurance Brokers in Macquarie Park. And his headshot ticked pretty much every box on the ‘what not to do’ chart - poor composition, poor lighting, poor pose, striped shirt, low resolution, distracting background, bizarre crop and an expression that did not reflect his position or indeed his personality.

So my mission was to make him look great - to portray the 2 factors that make a great headshot - Confidence & Approachability. He came in to our studio in Ryde, and in very little time we had a couple of real keepers. And here is his new profile picture. I think you’ll agree its a great improvement.

If you are in need of a headshot makeover or know somebody else that needs it, then please do get in touch. Individuals and small groups can be accommodated comfortably at our studio in Ryde. Alternatively, we can come to you with a full portable studio set-up to photograph businesses of any size.

Or why not purchase a gift voucher for somebody that really needs it!